Content brief template: give writers everything before they start
A free content brief template for blog posts and articles: goal, reader, search phrase, angle, outline, must-include points, sources, length and done checks. With a filled example.
Tell the writer who the reader is, what they searched for, what the piece must cover, and how you will judge it. Get a first draft you can use.
When to use it
Before any blog post, guide, landing page or newsletter, whether the writer is on your team, a freelancer, or an AI tool.
The template
Content brief · [working title] · due [date] · writer [name]GOAL[What this piece should do: rank for X, get sign-ups, answer support questions]READER[Who, what they already know, what they are worried about]SEARCH PHRASE (if SEO)Main: [phrase] Related: [2–4 phrases]THE ANSWER IN ONE SENTENCE[What the reader should know after reading]OUTLINEH2: [section]H2: [section]H2: [section]MUST INCLUDE- [Facts, examples, numbers, links]MUST NOT- [Claims, competitors, topics to avoid]SOURCES-LENGTH AND FORMAT: [words, reading level, images]DONE CHECKS: [3–5 yes/no checks]
A filled example
Content brief · How to calculate overtime pay · due June 10 · writer SamGOALRank for "how to calculate overtime" and send readers to the overtime calculator.READERUS small business owners doing payroll themselves. Worried about getting it wrong.SEARCH PHRASEMain: how to calculate overtime payRelated: overtime calculator; time and a half; overtime after 40 hoursTHE ANSWER IN ONE SENTENCEHours over 40 in a week are paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, with a few state exceptions.OUTLINEH2: The basic ruleH2: A worked exampleH2: States with daily overtimeH2: Common mistakesMUST INCLUDE- One worked example with real numbers- A link to the overtime calculatorMUST NOT- Give legal advice. Say to check state rules.LENGTH AND FORMAT: 900–1,200 words, grade 6, one tableDONE CHECKS- The answer is in the first two lines- The example adds up- Every state named is checked against a .gov source
Tips
- Put the answer in the brief. If you cannot write it in one sentence, the writer cannot either.
- Name the reader's worry. It shapes the tone more than any style guide.
- Write done checks. They make review fast and fair.
Where M-Tracker fits
In M-Tracker, the brief lives on the task. When the draft is attached, the first review checks it against the brief and your project's standards, like a style guide. The writer fixes gaps before you read it. No screenshots and no activity tracking.
Try M-Tracker free14-day trial. No credit card. No employee surveillance.
Questions people ask
Does this work for AI writing tools?
Yes. Paste the whole brief into the prompt. Then check the draft against the done checks.
How long should a content brief be?
One page.
Work you can trust, without redoing it.
Your team gets feedback before work reaches you, or your client.
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